Blameless and Shameless at the Rapture :: By Mark A. Becker
Recently, we posed some questions for the reader regarding a few passages that speak of those who would be Ashamed at the Rapture.
We essentially asked the readers – Bible students, teachers, and writers alike – who they thought those would be who would be Ashamed at the Rapture and what their immediate fate would be.
Here are the categories of professing Christians we offered to the reader as possible candidates, with additional information that we did not offer in our earlier article.
True Spirit-Led Christians
This is an easy category of professing Christians to define.
True Spirit-led Christians are those who have understood and accepted the gospel, believed Christ is the eternal Son of God who came in the flesh to live a sinless life, paid the penalty we as sinners deserved, shed His perfectly sinless blood on the cross for our sins, and have truly given their hearts to Him as Creator, Lord, and Savior of their lives.
Spirit-filled and Spirit-led believers are fruitful Christians, full of good works that God had prepared for them to do.
Carnal Christians
Paul gives us our best definitions of Carnal Christians in 1 Corinthians:
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Basically, Carnal Christians are true believers, but they live in and are led by their flesh and not by the Spirit.
In the same chapter, Paul goes on to explain the Bema Seat of Christ and their position – if they do not change, allowing their lives to be led by Christ’s Spirit – at Christ’s judgment for believers after the resurrection/rapture of the church regarding rewards or loss of rewards.
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” – 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (Underlined Scripture passages are my own emphasis.)
Carnal Christians, at the Bema Seat of Christ, will have their works burned up because their works were done in the flesh, in pleasing themselves and man, and not in the Spirit totally committed to pleasing God for all He had done for them. They “shall suffer loss” (of rewards they should have had, had they been led by the Holy Spirit and not the flesh) but “shall be saved, yet so as by fire.”
Carnal Christians are true converts, saved by grace through faith, but their lives are unfruitful as they quench and grieve the Holy Spirit of God in their lives.
“Quench not the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:30-32
Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, addresses a very real concern for those who are currently living in the flesh as professing Christians:
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:5-8
Therefore, professing Christians desperately need to reflect on their spiritual state and standing before God!
False Converts
We have discussed False Converts in many of our studies in the past.
Recently, in our study Matthew 25:1-13 – The Parable of the 10 Virgins, we highlighted the five foolish virgins that clearly represent False Converts in the church when we observed:
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” – Matthew 25:10
The time was at hand: “The Bridegroom came… and the door was shut” to the five foolish false convert virgins, as the five wise virgins “went in with Him to the marriage.”
While the false converts were seemingly earnest in trying to know the Lord and His Word and obtain the Holy Spirit from an actual conversion – something they should have done and made certain long ago – their opportunity to be a part of the marriage was lost.
“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.” – Matthew 25:11
The foolish false convert virgins are now desperately trying to get into the marriage, pleading their case to the Lord.
Please pay close attention to these foolish false convert virgins when they say, “Lord, Lord,” as we will note the parallels between their statement and what our Lord taught in Matthew 7 below.
These five foolish false convert virgins can still come to Christ and obtain the Holy Spirit, but they will have to do so during the pouring out of God’s wrath on a God-hating, Christ-rejecting world, and under the most excruciatingly intense period in human history.
“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” – Matthew 25:12
As false converts, the Lord knew them not. Therefore, they would have no choice but to go into the Tribulation and come to Christ then, if they so choose, by truly humbling themselves and earnestly seeking salvation on Christ’s terms with a contrite heart.
These same Words from our Lord will be heard from these foolish false convert virgins at The Great White Throne Judgment if they do not truly come to Christ in the Tribulation:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matthew 7:21-23
As in Matthew 25:11, where we read of the foolish false convert virgins exclaiming, “Lord, Lord,” these false converts in Matthew 7:21-23 who are judged at The Great White Throne Judgment also cry out, “Lord, Lord.”
Four of the saddest words anyone could ever hear from the Creator and Savior is, “I know you not” and/or “I never knew you.” Here is an important truth: Not only is it vitally important that any professing Christian comes to the real Jesus of Scripture in faith and to know Him personally, it is equally of vital importance that the real Jesus of Scripture personally knows you!
False Converts have always been in the church, and this is why the Bible speaks of them often and warns professing believers to be certain of their true conversion to Christ. After all, this was the clear message that John was trying to establish in his first epistle, that of knowing one’s salvation.
Here is just one example from the Apostle Peter, admonishing those in the church to make their calling and election sure, as in John’s first epistle, that they may know their salvation:
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:10-11
Christians Who Are Not Watching and Waiting for Christ’s Return
Christians who do not believe or understand the Biblical doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation rapture of the church and are therefore not watching and waiting for our Lord’s return for His bride are another category of Christians we may want to consider.
On this subject, may it not be said of us who do believe and understand the Biblical doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation rapture of the church that we are not in a constant state of readiness, soberly watching and waiting for our Bridegroom’s return for His bride!
The Passages and Our Questions
Here are the passages we cited in this article and our questions regarding them:
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28
Who will “be ashamed before [Christ] at His coming?” Just who are these people who will be Ashamed at the Rapture?
What is their immediate fate?
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” – Revelation 16:15
[Note: In Ashamed at the Rapture we gave many reasons for why this verse is a rapture passage.]
Who is it that will “walk naked” and have “shame” at the rapture?
What will be their immediate fate?
Are these the same people in 1 John 2:28?
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:26
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38
Who will be ashamed of Christ and His Words? Just as they were ashamed of Christ and His Words, Jesus will be ashamed of them when “He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels?”
What will be these people’s immediate fate?
Are these complementary passages speaking of the rapture, too?
If you have opinions on these passages and would like to share your answers to these questions, I would love to hear from you!
Blameless and Shameless at the Rapture!
With this foundation laid, we would now like to examine the other side of this issue, which is the focus of our study theme; namely, who are those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture. What are their characteristics and what might the contrasting differences be to those who will be Ashamed at the Rapture?
Blameless
Logically and Scripturally, those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be blameless.
“That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 1:5-8
Only true Spirit-filled Christians are able to be “enriched by Him” in all things concerning Christ’s will for their lives. Messiah’s testimony is confirmed in His disciples, and He will impart to them the spiritual gifts He so desires to give each believer, enabling every child of God to edify the body of Christ.
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We will also be found to be “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” who will “confirm [us] unto the end, that [we] may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” in the rapture of His bride.
“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching…” – Luke 12:37a
Shameless
Not surprisingly, those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be those who “shall not be ashamed” because they have saving faith in Jesus Christ.
“… whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” – Romans 9:33b
Only true Spirit-filled Christians who “believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” Saving grace through faith in the Messiah is an absolute necessity for those who “shall not be ashamed” at the rapture because of their faith in the finished works of Christ for their salvation.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” – John 6:47
Serving God
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be serving God all the days of their life following their conversion.
“… how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10
Once more we see that “wait[ing] for His Son from heaven” to rapture His church is intrinsically linked to fruitful service to “the living and true God.” The Imminency of the Rapture has a purifying effect on the believer and their service to their Lord.
As we “wait for His Son from heaven,” Jesus Christ will indeed “deliver us from the wrath to come” as our Bridegroom will take us back to heaven in the resurrection/rapture of His bride just before God pours out His wrath on a God-hating, Christ-rejecting world.
“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” – Romans 5:8-9
Seeking Those Things from Above
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be seeking those things that are above, pleasing their Lord in all things, and living in His will.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4
Our affections are to be our Lord’s heavenly affections as Jesus desires that all be saved and come to repentance and faith.
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:4
A true Spirit-filled believer’s “life is hid with Christ in God” as we live for Him on Earth, loving and serving Him and loving and serving others, until He calls us home in death or the rapture. In both instances, at the resurrection/rapture of the church, when He “shall appear, then shall [we] also appear with Him in glory.”
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” – 1 John 3:2-3
Not In Darkness, Nor Sleeping, But Soberly Watching and Waiting
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be found not in darkness, nor sleeping, but soberly watching and waiting for His return.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
The rapture should never “overtake [true Spirit-filled believers] as a thief,” as we “are all the children of light, and the children of the day,” not found to be asleep in our service to Him, but to be found watching and waiting for our Lord at all times as we live out His will for our lives.
“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” – Matthew 24:40-42
Obedient in Hope and Holy Living
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be obedient in hope and living a holy life.
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:13-16
Christian living is an active life from fierce spiritual battles to joyous and momentous moments. As such, we must “gird up the loins of [our] mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto [us] at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” which is the resurrection/rapture of the church.
For the believer, obedience in love is our calling and one of many confirmations that we are His.
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – 1 John 5:2-3
And we are called to holiness because He is holy.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
And as we “hope to the end,” we find that…
“… hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Romans 5:5
Righteousness, Godly Living, and Zealous of Good Works
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will seek righteousness, godly living, and will be zealous of good works.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:11-14
Righteousness can only be attained by Christ’s righteousness living within us.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Godly living can only be produced by our total surrender to God’s will for our lives.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
Being zealous of good works is only obtained when we strive to do those things the Lord has ordained and prepared for us to do.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
Keeping the Faith, Fighting the Good Fight, Loving His Appearing, and Receiving the Crown of Righteousness
Those who will not be Ashamed at the Rapture will be keeping the faith, fighting the good fight, love His glorious appearing, and will receive the promised Crown of Righteousness.
As Paul said of himself, we should also be able to say of ourselves…
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Those who are God’s children, led by His Holy Spirit, will finish the race strong in faith.
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” – Romans 1: 17
We fight the good fight in full confidence of God’s good work within us.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ [the resurrection/rapture of the church] …” – Philippians 1:6
And in that glorious “day of Jesus Christ,” when we obtain that wonderful “crown of righteousness,” we shall rejoice together with joy unspeakable, for “we shall ever be with the Lord.”
“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
So, get out there, beloved Saint, and “turn many to righteousness” today, so you may “shine as the brightness of the firmament” and “as the stars for ever and ever!”
May we all keep Answering the Call of The Great Commission, and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks us, “Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?”
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
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